Frank Lloyd Wright’s Historic Ennis House Listed for $23 Million

The historic Ennis House is one of the most architecturally significant residences with cinematic history, now up on the market with a hefty price tag.

Jul 11, 2018 | By Lynette Kee

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Famed American architect and multi-hyphenate Frank Lloyd Wright designed many houses in his lifetime. Of the many, the Mayan inspired home located in Los Angeles’s Los Feliz neighbourhood is one that almost as famous as he was, thanks to cameo appearances in multiple Hollywood appearances. Originally built for retailer Charles Ennis and his wife Mabel (hence, its name- Ennis House), the temple-like residence was constructed in 1924, and it is now officially open for sale with a hefty US$23 million price tag.

Frank Lloyd Wright Ennis House: A Legendary home with Cinematic History

The landmark residence measures more than 6,000-square-feet with four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, positioned atop a hillside parcel with cinematic view of the entire city.Its outstanding and iconic design has made it a darling for Hollywood scouts – the Ennis house has also gained fans for its many appearances in popular culture, having been featured in countless films, television shows, fashion shoots and even music videos. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House has had starring roles in “House on the Haunted Hill”, “Twin Peaks” and most famously, 1982’s “Blade Runner”.

The Ennis House is considered an esteemed property among architecture appreciators. It was also included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Incidentally, the Northridge earthquake of 1994 left the exotic residence in a pitiful state of neglect and disrepair until 2011 when it was sold for $4.5 million to billionaire Ron Burkle. According to marketing materials, the supermarket magnate and investor spent “nearly $17 million” to scrupulously restore the originally “powerful and remarkably livable” residence.

Post renovation Ennis House still retains the mayan revival accent and structure with its mausoleum-like marble floor and glass windows delicatedly juxtaposed against the textured blocks and hardwood floors. But apart from the physical aspect, the house also features an intimate library, a black and white tiled vintage kitchen and a games & screening room with open fireplace and curved bar. The lengthy southern side of the house opens to a series of courtyards, balconies and terraces overlooking downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. And the north façade opens to a broad terrace with a small koi pond and a large swimming pool.

For architecture appreciators or anyone looking to invest in real estate alike, the Ennis House places itself at the top of the list as one of the most architecturally significant residences with cinematic history.